WAHM Forums

I am planning to go for Long Term Care Insurance before purchasing policy I was reading few articles on it. But I am not able to understand the term “Elimination Period”. Could anyone please explain what is Elimination Period?

According to Elimination Period (http://law.freeadvice.com/insurance_law/long_term_care/long-term-care-elimination-period.htm)

In order to be eligible for certain Benefits, you must also satisfy an Elimination Period, as described below.

“Elimination Period” is the number of days after the Original Coverage Effective Date of this Policy during which You must be: (1) Chronically Ill; and (2) receiving Primary Services (other than Hospice Care and Respite Care), before certain Benefits become payable. These days need not be consecutive. The Elimination Period for this Policy is shown on the Schedule of Benefits page. Except as stated below, Benefits will not be paid for Covered Services You receive during the Elimination Period.

No Elimination Period is required in order to receive Benefits for Hospice Care, Respite Care, Needs Assessment or Informal Caregiver Training. Receipt of these services will not count toward satisfying the Elimination Period.

You only have to satisfy the Elimination Period once. Once You have satisfied a day of the Elimination Period, that day is satisfied for the life of the Policy.

The elimination period is the time a person has to pay out-of-pocket for services before the long term care insurance takes over. Most will offer 90 day elimination or you could pay a higher premium for a zero day elimination period. The definition of elimination period varies with the long term care insurance companies. Some policies can require elimination to be met in a certain calendar period while others may require elimination to be consecutive days of care. Read and understand the elimination period in the contract.

Thanks for replying to my post.